Dryopteris crassirhizoma

(syn: Dryopteris buschiana) Dryopteris crassirhizoma is a handsome, tall, Clark Gablesque, vase-shaped fern that usually forms a solitary crown and can reach 3' tall x 3' wide when happy. The semi-evergreen, deer-resistant, thick textured fronds of Dryopteris crassirhizoma give a very tropical appearance in the garden. In winter, the fronds remain green but lay flat on the ground, helping to protect those nearby from the ravages of winter.